Hobbit Hike: Where to Meet Nerds, with Sompi Harmetz

Date Like A Nerd

#Video Games #Society #Relationship #Lifestyle #Self-Improvement #Alex | Dating Anxiety Coach for Nerds #Dating #Love #Geek #Anxiety #Podcasting Education #Nerds #Gamers

30:23

Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride; the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded $92.5k to 93 disability projects in 11 countries; and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. As a person with visible and invisible disabilities stemming from a car crash, Tiffany has built a career on disability solidarity. Now that she has found success, she works to expand a network of people with disabilities and their allies to decrease stigmas around disability and create opportunities for disabled people in America. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:26 When do we choose to share our disability stories? 4:12 Jay’s disability story 8:35 Visible and invisible disabilities 13:10 What does an ally to the disability community look like? 16:34 NoBodyIsDisposable and 14(c) 21:26 How does Tiffany’s investment banking background shape her advocacy? 27:47 Goodbye and outro For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/…

15 days ago 28:53

MP3•Episode home

In this episode, Sompi invites us to join “Hobbit Hike”, a magical, costume-friendly adventure where nerds, geeks, and gamers gather to touch grass, twirl swords, and unlock their social tree ⚔️ Whether you’re a veteran cosplayer, a D&D dice goblin, or just someone who’d rather sit on a rock in the forest than shout over a hentai lounge, this episode will show you a new way to build your party.

🤯 Hobbit Hike exploded from a handful of cosplay friends to a 70+ member stronghold, all while keeping things introvert-friendly and low-pressure. Sompi’s “assigned extroverts” and buddy systems make sure even the quietest newcomers find their people. With a mix of easy hikes and whimsical costumes, you'll find that the best connections happen when you’re not racing to the finish line 🏁

🎧 Ready to level up your social life and unlock the Tolkien branch of your social tree? Press start and let’s go on an adventure! 🧙‍♂️

🖤 WHERE (AND HOW) TO MEET SOMEONE ORGANICALLY! 🎮

FREE WALKTHROUGH with 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest!

Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where

📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord

About Sompi

Sompi is the founder of Healthbar Fitness, where she helps nerds, geeks, and gamers level up their health without abandoning the hobbies they love. Her journey began with personal struggles with negative body image and extreme dieting, including a stint in competitive bodybuilding that left her trapped in unhealthy cycles.

Now, Sompi is on a mission to help other nerds achieve similar transformations. Beyond online coaching, she organizes Hobbit Hike in Las Vegas, where people hike in Renaissance festival outfits, and runs a vibrant Discord community with book clubs, movie nights, and craft sessions.

At Healthbar Fitness, Sompi understands that true health includes community and personal growth—it's about building a balanced character sheet for real life while still having fun with the things you love.

Sompi's Links:

Related Episodes:

Timestamps for lazy nerds:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:22 What's Hobbit Hike
00:02:47 Who Joins Hobbit Hike
00:04:10 Fitness Level Required
00:06:34 A Different Hike
00:07:46 Helping Introverts Fit In
00:14:56 Checkin In On Attendees
00:17:08 Reading Signs of Interest
00:19:21 Keeping Everyone Safe
00:24:08 Connecting Outside Hobbit Hike
00:27:06 Start Your Own!
00:27:48 Contact Info

Contact:
dm@datelikeanerd.com or
@datelikeanerd on social media

20 episodes

Hobbit Hike: Where to Meet Nerds, with Sompi Harmetz

Date Like A Nerd

published 15 days ago

MP3•Episode home

🎧 Ready to level up your social life and unlock the Tolkien branch of your social tree? Press start and let’s go on an adventure! 🧙‍♂️

🖤 WHERE (AND HOW) TO MEET SOMEONE ORGANICALLY! 🎮

FREE WALKTHROUGH with 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest!

Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where

📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord

About Sompi

Sompi's Links:

Related Episodes:

Timestamps for lazy nerds:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:22 What's Hobbit Hike
00:02:47 Who Joins Hobbit Hike
00:04:10 Fitness Level Required
00:06:34 A Different Hike
00:07:46 Helping Introverts Fit In
00:14:56 Checkin In On Attendees
00:17:08 Reading Signs of Interest
00:19:21 Keeping Everyone Safe
00:24:08 Connecting Outside Hobbit Hike
00:27:06 Start Your Own!
00:27:48 Contact Info

Contact:
dm@datelikeanerd.com or
@datelikeanerd on social media

20 episodes

#Video Games #Society #Relationship #Lifestyle #Self-Improvement #Alex | Dating Anxiety Coach for Nerds #Dating #Love #Geek #Anxiety #Podcasting Education #Nerds #Gamers

All episodes

Date Like A Nerd

1
The High School Reunion: the Nerd Love Story of Pete and Ariana 22:33

1 day ago22:33

22:33

📆 High school crushes don't have to end with the academic year. Sometimes, relationships may benefit from a respawn much later. After gaining more XP, both players gain new ways to play together. What used to be two solo players may turn into a Co-Op game 💍 In this episode, Pete "Belmont" shares how he lost contact with his high school crush, only to meet again 10 years later at their high school reunion 🧑‍🏫 Though still platonic, that encounter later developed into a close friendship that naturally grew into a romantic relationship. 👻 For many couples, friendship is just the stepping stone towards a fulfilling relationship. Rather than fearing the Friend Zone, Pete shares how it was a natural transition for them. He finds that communicating your wants and needs is key. It's all about showing yourself to the world, including your interests and hobbies 🧩 🤓 Both Pete and Ariana were nerds, though with slightly different tastes. But because neither of them hid it, and they accepted each other, many of their interests now overlap. To the point that she now watches more anime than he! 🖥️ If you want a Player 2 who joins your nerd Quests (including a Hobbit banquet with a LotR marathon), this is the episode for you! 🍖 🎧 Press Start to go on an adventure... for two! ⛰️ 🖤 WHERE TO MEET YOUR PLAYER 2 ORGANICALLY🎮 200+ places and a walkthrough to guide you on your Quest! Download for FREE at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where Pete's Links: https://linktr.ee/be1mont https://www.instagram.com/be1mont_lotr/ https://www.youtube.com/@be1mont_lotr https://bsky.app/profile/be1mont.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@be1mont_lotr https://www.youtube.com/@voicesofarda Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:41:20 What Makes Pete a Nerd 00:02:38 The High School Crush 00:05:00 Escalating from Friends to Lovers 00:06:12 Discovering a Fellow Nerd 00:09:55 Friends to Lovers Transition 00:11:03 The Friend Zone 00:16:08 Being Confident in Your Nerd Self 00:21:19 Closing #datingtips #datingadvice #dating #nerdlife #nerd #gamer #socialskills #podcast #lotr #tolkien #hobbit #anime Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Hobbit Hike: Where to Meet Nerds, with Sompi Harmetz 28:53

15 days ago28:53

28:53

🧝‍♀️ Wish you could find your Fellowship without having to roll a Nat 20 on charisma? Many shy, introverted nerds want to touch grass and be more sociable... without having to join extrovert quests! If that's you, Hobbit Hike could be the perfect solution! 🙌 In this episode, Sompi invites us to join “Hobbit Hike”, a magical, costume-friendly adventure where nerds, geeks, and gamers gather to touch grass, twirl swords, and unlock their social tree ⚔️ Whether you’re a veteran cosplayer, a D&D dice goblin, or just someone who’d rather sit on a rock in the forest than shout over a hentai lounge, this episode will show you a new way to build your party. 🤯 Hobbit Hike exploded from a handful of cosplay friends to a 70+ member stronghold, all while keeping things introvert-friendly and low-pressure. Sompi’s “assigned extroverts” and buddy systems make sure even the quietest newcomers find their people. With a mix of easy hikes and whimsical costumes, you'll find that the best connections happen when you’re not racing to the finish line 🏁 🎧 Ready to level up your social life and unlock the Tolkien branch of your social tree? Press start and let’s go on an adventure! 🧙‍♂️ 🖤 WHERE (AND HOW) TO MEET SOMEONE ORGANICALLY! 🎮 FREE WALKTHROUGH with 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest! Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord About Sompi Sompi is the founder of Healthbar Fitness, where she helps nerds, geeks, and gamers level up their health without abandoning the hobbies they love. Her journey began with personal struggles with negative body image and extreme dieting, including a stint in competitive bodybuilding that left her trapped in unhealthy cycles. Now, Sompi is on a mission to help other nerds achieve similar transformations. Beyond online coaching, she organizes Hobbit Hike in Las Vegas, where people hike in Renaissance festival outfits, and runs a vibrant Discord community with book clubs, movie nights, and craft sessions. At Healthbar Fitness, Sompi understands that true health includes community and personal growth—it's about building a balanced character sheet for real life while still having fun with the things you love. Sompi's Links: https://discord.gg/8jtQZR2YeF https://www.youtube.com/@sompiharmetz https://www.instagram.com/sompiharmetz/ Related Episodes: The Tolkien Association Find Your Nerd Community Animé Los Angeles Tolkien meets Star Wars Find Love Through Online Games Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:22 What's Hobbit Hike 00:02:47 Who Joins Hobbit Hike 00:04:10 Fitness Level Required 00:06:34 A Different Hike 00:07:46 Helping Introverts Fit In 00:14:56 Checkin In On Attendees 00:17:08 Reading Signs of Interest 00:19:21 Keeping Everyone Safe 00:24:08 Connecting Outside Hobbit Hike 00:27:06 Start Your Own! 00:27:48 Contact Info Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Dating The Twitch Streamer on Discord: the Nerd Love Story of Luna and Jason 31:28

30 days ago31:28

31:28

💬 Finding love on Discord is possible. Even if your Player 2 is the streamer who created the server. That said, there are some things you should keep in mind and that you want to avoid. After all, you can't meet anyone in person if you get banned! 📵 In this episode, GamerMomLuna and Jason share how they went from a Twitch chat NPC to streamer relationship to a co-op campaign building a life under the same roof 🏡 It wasn't an overnight evolution, and it wasn't planned, either. 🖥️ Jason had been watching Luna's streams and participating in the chat for a while before deciding to join her Discord. There, he was just another member joining random conversations. One day, a single thread turned into an epic-long dialogue. The rest of the server wasn’t invested, but they’d rolled a natural 20 on connection. It was time to move to a private conversation 🤫 ☝️ They are the perfect example of how to transition from regular chat to DM. It's not about finding an excuse good enough to slide into someone's DMs. After all, they can block you, report you, or ghost you. It's about knowing that they want to hear from you as much as you want to hear from them 🙂‍↕️ Once there, the usual conversation rules apply. Talk about your shared passions, and get to know the person behind the screen. Eventually, the curiosity might kick in, and you can go on a date, hang out, or even invite them to your next TTRPG session! 🎲 🎧 Press play if you're hoping to meet someone online! 🛜 🖤 FREE GUIDE: Where (And How) To Meet Your Player 2 Organically 🎮 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest! Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Donate to Extra Life: https://www.extra-life.org/participant/GamerMom-Luna Luna's Links: https://linktr.ee/GamerMomLuna https://www.twitch.tv/gamermomluna https://www.youtube.com/@GamerMomLuna https://www.threads.net/@gamermomluna https://www.instagram.com/gamermomluna/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thegamermomluna Related Episodes: Find Love Through Online Games, with Kaylee Lopez https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/find-love-through-online-games/ The TTRPG Group https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/the-ttrpg-group/ Rejected, Friendzoned, and Not Reading the Signals https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/rejected-friendzoned-nerd-love-story/ Find Your Nerd Community https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/nerd-community/ Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:43 What Makes Them Nerds 00:02:01 Twitch Streamer's Discord 00:06:16 Transitioning to DMs 00:10:11 More Than Friends 00:13:41 First Date 00:19:23 Making it Official 00:21:54 Avoiding The Friend Zone 00:26:48 From Discord to DMs 00:28:20 Extra Life Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Find Love Through Online Games, with Kaylee Lopez 21:27

6 weeks ago21:27

21:27

👾 How do people find a partner who plays online video games? It often feels like you're damned if you join a community looking for a relationship, and you're damned if you don't (because how else can you meet someone outside dating apps?!) 🤨 🎮 In this episode, I talk to Kaylee Lopez, an anthropologist who writes about gaming and game communities. We explore the ways you can integrate yourself into communities, unlock the gamer branch of your Social Tree, and find your Player 2. Literally! 🕹️ ⌨️ Meeting gamers has its own set of challenges that are different from meeting people IRL 🖥️ On the one hand, most people don't play video games to find their soulmate (just like with most communities). So even if you're brave enough to approach NPCs, most people don't want to be hit on immediately 🙅 💬 On top of that, if you do start talking to someone and hitting it off with them... you know absolutely nothing about them. And even if you did and had some interaction, whether you'd get along in person remains uncertain. And to top it off, even if all of that does work out... they may live too far away from you! ✈️ So even if you manage to find your soulmate, they may exist all the way across the world with neither of you wanting to move 🌎 So with all of these odds against you, could it ever happen? The answer is YES. 🎧 Press Start to learn how to find your Player 2! 🧑‍💻 🖤 FREE GUIDE: Where (And How) To Meet Your Player 2 Organically 🎮 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest! Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord About Kaylee Lopez Kaylee is an anthropologist who writes about gaming and game communities. She's also a certified therapeutic game master, game writer, and game editor. Kaylee's Links: https://kayleelopez.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_gaming_anthropologist/ https://www.threads.com/@the_gaming_anthropologist http://patreon.com/anthroriot Related Episodes: Find Your Nerd Community https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/nerd-community/ The Tolkien Association https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/the-tolkien-association/ Text Confession Gone Wrong, No Proper Dates, and Critical Fails https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/text-confession-no-dates/ Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:58 Finding Love Within Online Games 00:04:56 Joining With Honesty 00:07:47 IRL vs Online Chemistry 00:09:56 Find Gamers In Your Area 00:14:16 Expanding Your Social Tree 00:18:05 Breakups Within Communities Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Tolkien meets Star Wars: The Nerd Love Story of Kaia and Celania 41:53

8 weeks ago41:53

41:53

👀 Can your Tolkien hyperfixation get in the way of your Love at First Sight? Love at first sight is rare. But if it happened, what would you do? Would you talk to them or text them first? What if they don't like you? What if you don't know what to talk about? What if you have nothing in common? Or worse, what if you overwhelm them with your hyperfixation about Tolkien? There's only one way to find out. 👇 In this episode, Kaia shares how she managed to date her now-fianceé... with a little help from her boss. 👨🏻‍💼 Because Kaia knew she wanted to marry Celania as soon as they met. But her social anxiety blocked her from a conversation in person or even via text! 😫 🧝‍♀️ One of Kaia's fears was related to her passion for Tolkien's work. The same hyperfixation that led her to become a Tolkien-centered content creator didn't help her when relating to others. She knew she would often overshare information about the Lord of the Rings. Way more often (and longer) than most people enjoyed. 🥱 And she was right. However, she didn't know Celania was into Star Wars and LEGO 🪐 Not LotR. Fantasy and sci-fi can be considered opposite fandoms. But they're still close enough that they'll understand each other better than most. Over time, however, they became interested in each other's passions, which built more trust and security and strengthened their relationship. 🙅‍♀️ Sometimes, people won't share your interests or humor. And that's ok. But if you take small steps and test for their interest slowly, you might find someone who'll want to spend their life with you 💍 🎧 Listen to this episode to find a partner who enjoys your hyperfixation! 💪 🖤 WHERE TO MEET YOUR PLAYER 2 ORGANICALLY🎮 200+ places and a walkthrough to guide you on your Quest! Download for FREE at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Kaia Kay's Links: https://beacons.ai/kaiakayy https://www.instagram.com/kaiakayy/ https://youtube.com/@kaiakayy https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiakays https://bsky.app/profile/kaiakayy.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@kaiakayy Related Episodes: Text Confession Gone Wrong, No Proper Dates, and Critical Fails Shy meets Socially Anxious, and Going Slow The Tolkien Association Find Your Nerd Community Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:36 What Makes Kaia a Nerd 00:02:15 Love at First Sight 00:04:01 Fear of Rejection 00:05:12 Info-Dumping 00:05:59 Afraid to Text Your Crush 00:10:07 Testing for Compatibility with Humor 00:15:03 Forced First Date 00:19:05 Disclosing Your Sexuality 00:23:51 Signs of a Good Date 00:24:59 Second Date 00:26:27 Unprepared for Conversation 00:28:47 Avoiding Info-Dumping 00:36:15 Dealing with Opposing Fandoms 00:40:18 Kaia's Contacts #datingtips #datingadvice #dating #nerdlife #nerd #gamer #single #socialskills #podcast #tolkien #lotr #starwars Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
The Nice Guy vs The Kind Man, with April 23:02

10 weeks ago23:02

23:02

😇 The alternative to being a Nice Guy™ is often considered to be a Bad Boy 👨‍🎤 Because many people think that the problem is being a good person. And, sure, some people might be attracted to that... in the short term. But if you're looking to build a healthy and loving relationship, you may want to look into becoming a Kind Person, instead 😌 🖤 In this episode, April returns to share what made her fall for her husband Scott. It wasn't his wealth (he lived in an RV), or being a nerd (he watched Star Trek and played video games), or his physique (we'll just believe her with that). It was him being "the kindest man she'd ever known." 😍 🤔 What sometimes goes wrong with Nice Guys™ is giving with unspoken (and not agreed upon) expectations (a.k.a. manipulation) and a lack of boundaries. Some examples could be giving gifts or doing favors for someone you don't have a close relationship with, often at the expense of your own problems, expecting them to like you or do something for/with you 🎁 ❌ If you feel like you've been rejected for being a Nice Guy™ and you have to turn into a Bad Boy, give this episode a listen. You'll find many ways to become more attractive as a kind, good, and generous person 💪 🎧 Listen now and trade the Nice Guy™ for the Kind Person! 🖤 FREE GUIDE: Where (And How) To Meet Your Player 2 Organically 🎮 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest! Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord April's Nerd Love Story: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/nerd-wedding/ Boundaries Blog Post: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/skills/shields-boundaries/ Vulnerability Blog Post: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/skills/be-like-a-barbarian-be-vulnerable/ Socials: https://www.instagram.com/legiodith13 https://www.threads.net/@legiodith13 https://bsky.app/profile/legiodith.bsky.social Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:41 Being a Nice Guy 00:04:52 Kind Person Behaviors 00:09:07 Working on Your Mental Health 00:13:31 Weird Acts of Kindness 00:17:18 Boundary Problems with Nice Guys Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Animé Los Angeles: Where to Meet Nerds, with Matthew Lewis 26:46

11 weeks ago26:46

26:46

🍜 Looking for a waifu, husbando, or just a partner who enjoys anime? Animé Los Angeles could be the perfect place for you to unlock the weeb branch of your Social Tree. Whether you like to cosplay, read manga, or even build miniatures, there are many ways for you to meet people over this 4-day event! 🍣 In this episode, Matthew Lewis shares how otakus can socialize at Animé Los Angeles. Every day, you'll have opportunities to make friends who share your passion for all things anime-related. Some of these are built-in, and others you can initiate yourself 🥷 🎙️ One option is designed as a speed-dating type of event (to make friends): you'll have a few minutes to talk 1-on-1 or in small groups. However, unlike regular speed dating, you'll get to cross paths with these people for the rest of the event! 🤖 Another option is activities where talking is not the focus, such as assembling model kits. In this case, you can take it slow and simply focus on what you're doing until you feel comfortable enough to start a conversation. 🦾 We also share with you some tips to start conversations this way. And speaking of starting conversations, cosplayers are often open to interacting with people who share a passion for their character or show they're cosplaying. 👺 As a cosplayer himself, Matt shared how (and when) he likes to be approached, what kind of interactions he likes to have, and what is generally expected and accepted by the cosplay community 🧛 🎧 Want to meet other weebs? Listen to this episode to get some inspiration! 💡 🖤 FREE GUIDE: Where (And How) To Meet Your Player 2 Organically 🎮 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Relationship Quest! Download it for free at https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱 Have questions? Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Animé Los Angeles: Get your badge! https://animelosangeles.org/registration/attendee-registration/ https://animelosangeles.org/ https://www.instagram.com/anime_los_angeles https://www.facebook.com/AnimeLosAngelesCon https://discord.com/invite/Axu3BDnc Matthew Lewis: https://maguma.carrd.co/ https://www.instagram.com/maguma.usagi/ Related Episodes: Find Your Nerd Community: Where to Meet Nerds, with Jose https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/nerd-community/ Cosplayers and Conventions: the Nerd Love Story of Elyse and Matt https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/cosplayers-and-conventions/ Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:40 What is Animé Los Angeles 00:01:36 Icebreaker Activities 00:04:47 Connecting Through Activities 00:05:41 NOT Speed Dating 00:07:26 Interactive Socializing 00:08:42 How To Make Friends 00:11:36 Approaching Strangers 00:19:41 Non-Harassment Policy 00:25:34 Discord and Tickets Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Cosplayers and Conventions: the Nerd Love Story of Elyse and Matt 22:41

13 weeks ago22:41

22:41

🦸 One convention might not be enough to get to know someone. But as you start attending more often and keeping in touch with everyone, feelings can start to develop. In the case of cosplayers, their passion for specific characters is just one more thing for them to bond over 😍 Elyse was introduced to Matt by her group of cosplayer friends. They got along well and exchanged contacts on the spot 📱 However, it took a decade for them to end up together! Times just didn't align. It took several encounters and a friend's wedding for them to start chatting more often. Funnily enough, they never confessed their feelings . Matt just assumed they were dating and decided to make it public! 😱 📝 This story is a great example of how making friends and meeting someone many different times can help you find your Player 2. It's not necessary to jump at someone attractive the first time you see them. And if you didn't click or didn't get their number the first time, there might be a next. It's not guaranteed. There's always an element of luck. But if that person was a part of your group of friends, you'll roll with advantage 🎲 Being part of a group of friends doesn't mean seeing the same people at the same recurring events, though 👀 It means developing relationships with them where you all meet to do different activities and get to know each other in different contexts. In their case, Elyse and Matt not only met at conventions, but the pivotal point was their friend's wedding. Not a convention. 💒 💡 So keep these lessons in mind next time you go socializing! Saw someone you wanted to talk to but didn't get to? There could be another time! 🤩 🎧 Press Start and see how cosplaying and conventions could lead to your Player 2! 🖤 FREE GUIDE: WHERE (AND HOW) TO MEET YOUR PLAYER 2 ORGANICALLY 🎮 Download it at https://www.rolltodate.com/where 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Elyse's Links: https://linktr.ee/princessbilbo https://www.instagram.com/princessbilbo https://www.tiktok.com/@princessbilbo https://www.facebook.com/PrincessBilbo https://www.threads.net/@princessbilbo Related Episodes: Finding Your Nerd Community, with Jose: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/nerd-community/ The Tolkien Association: Where to Meet Nerds, with Vir: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/the-tolkien-association/ Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:58 What Makes Elyse a Nerd 00:02:38 Cosplayers Introducing Each Other 00:06:13 Asking for the Number 00:07:47 First Impression 00:09:57 Schroedinger Date 00:14:15 Mismatched Timings 00:16:49 Going Public Online 00:19:28 Dating as Asexual 00:21:23 Closing Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Find Your Nerd Community: Where to Meet Nerds, with Jose 18:37

15 weeks ago18:37

18:37

🔎 Finding your community can sometimes be challenging. Even within the same hobby, different groups may be polar opposites. Even within the Argentine Tolkien Association, the online forum didn't always fit with the association 🧩 In this episode, I bring Jose back to talk about how we found a place where each of us felt we belonged 😌 Not feeling like we fit in with most people around us growing up, in the Argentine Tolkien Association , we found those who made us feel appreciated and welcomed. Even if we didn't "fit the popular norm." 🥰 🧪 Sometimes, finding your people may take trial and error. Some communities have a demographic younger or older than what you'd like, or the people might have values that don't match yours, or they may simply not be a good match. Whatever the case may be, it's worth it to keep looking until you find your group. Even if that's just a subgroup within a larger community 👯 ❓ So here's a question for you: if you happened to go to the Argentine Tolkien Association, who do you think you'd like to hang out with? The official members or the forum? 🧐 💬 And if you're wondering where to meet your Player 2 organically, here are 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Quest! Download them here for FREE: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:14 How Jose Found the Association 00:07:26 Fitting In 00:12:32 Different Personalities, Same Interest 00:15:43 Feeling Appreciated Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
From Friends with Benefits to a Nerd Wedding: the Nerd Love Story of April and Scott 32:12

17 weeks ago32:12

32:12

🔥 Dating Apps like Tinder often get a bad rep about what people there are looking for. But even if you start something with no strings attached, if you matched with the right person... you might end up having a nerd wedding with swords and the LOTR soundtrack! 🧝‍♂️ April expected to meet a jock 💪 Someone with whom she wouldn't have much in common. Instead, she fell for a nerd. But that wasn't what they had agreed to. After all, neither of them were looking for a serious relationship. So it wasn't until one of them was vulnerable enough to express their feelings that things changed. 📝 Agreements (even romantic) can be changed and amended. They're not something fixed that once set can't be touched. It does, however, mean risking rejection. Just as confessing that you like someone, trying to change what you already agreed on carries a risk. ⚠️ Is it worth it? Up to you to decide. For April and Scott, it led to a nerd marriage. 💍 🖤 And if you're wondering where to meet your Player 2 organically, here are 200+ ideas and a guide to help you on your Quest! Download them here for FREE: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/where 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord Socials: https://www.instagram.com/legiodith13 https://www.threads.net/@legiodith13 https://bsky.app/profile/legiodith.bsky.social Steven's Interview: https://www.datelikeanerd.com/podcast/shy-meets-socially-anxious-and-going-slow/ Tim Ferris' Dating Episode: https://youtu.be/3zPa7b1uq4A?si=t0grWS2U1MippFaV Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:45 All-around Nerd 00:01:47 Dating Intentions on Tinder 00:08:48 A Long First Date 00:13:45 A Star Trek Nerd! 00:21:13 From Friend with Benefits to Relationship 00:27:48 A Nerd Wedding #datingtips #datingadvice #dating #nerdlife #nerd #gamer #single #socialskills #podcast Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Gamify Your Dating Anxiety, with Michael Berger 35:07

19 weeks ago35:07

35:07

👻 Fear of rejection can ruin your dating life in multiple ways: you won't start conversations, ask for a number, invite on a date, or show how you truly feel. Fortunately, you can get over it with gamification! 👾 Although many video games can teach you the Growth Mindset, you may not be applying it IRL... yet 💡 And that's where gamification comes in: it can give you dopamine hits similar to video games, help you stay motivated, and give you positive reinforcement even if you don't get the results you were hoping for 😬 In this interview, Michael Berger and I discuss how you can gamify your dating life to build new habits that will help you get over your fear of rejection (and many other Quests) 🧙‍♂️ This approach has one major advantage over the idea that you need "30 days of consistency to build a habit": with this gamification, you don't lose your progress if you stop. You. Don't. Lose. XP 🎮 I also share my style of gamified coaching to help you get over your fears and anxieties with dating: It starts by recognizing what makes you anxious, giving it a Challenge Rating (CR score), deciding on the actions that you need to take, how much XP each action gives you, and then going out and grinding ⛏️ With a mix of gradual exposure and gamification, you'll level up in no time! ⬆️ 🧌 Because just like in video games, you shouldn't start by fighting the BBEG at level 1. Tackling each challenge at the appropriate level will give your body and mind time to get used to it and recognize that it's not the TPK you were expecting. Even if you can't beat it on the first try. 🎧 So what're you waiting for? Listen to this episode so you can start grinding to level up! 💪 Guest's Bio: Michael Berger aka BergerGames has been a fixture inside the niche of gaming on Instagram for the last two years doing the very common work of a social media personality, but recently he has been adding aspects of his professional day-to-day job as a Licensed Social Worker into his content. Mike also trains other mental health professionals on how to have conversations about suicide, crisis de-escalation, and motivational interviewing. Recently he’s been creating YouTube videos on the intersection of gaming and mental health, building courses teaching gamers how to take advantage of their psychology and “gamify their life.” And appearing on podcasts like this one. Links: Mike Berger's Substack: https://mikebergergames.substack.com/ Socials: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeBergerGames bsky.app/profile/mikebergergames.bsky.social twitch.tv/bergergames_ https://www.instagram.com/bergergames/ 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord 💬 Practice Conversation Skills playing FREE online improv games with me! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/improv Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:26 Micael Berger's Bio 00:01:55 Video Games and Mental Health 00:05:49 Growth Mindset in Video Games 00:08:24 Dopamine for Habit Formation 00:11:53 Gamifying your Fear of Rejection 00:16:24 The Problem with 30-Day Challenges 00:20:11 Exposure to Anxiety 00:24:49 Facing Rejection 00:28:34 Street and Gym "Approach" Examples Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
The TTRPG Group: the Nerd Love Story of Frank and Mouse 45:10

21 weeks ago45:10

45:10

🎲 TTRPG groups can help you make friends and even find your life partner. They're also small enough that they shouldn't cause too much anxiety. But the trick is not to limit your interaction with the other players only to game nights. Use the group to make friends outside the paper! 📝 Frank's wife is fighting stage 4 cancer. Please help them in any way you can https://gofund.me/f86c12bd 📚 Frank and Mouse became friends through their college's TTRPG group. Unfortunately, she was engaged at the time, so Frank decided to respect that boundary. Many years later she invited him to spend the weekend at her place. They had stayed close friends, so Frank went down to meet her. That was when Mouse took the opportunity to tell him how she felt 🫣 🤝 Making friends through a shared hobby is a great way to grow your social network, even if that hobby only involves a handful of people. In fact, TTRPGs (and many board game nights) can make it easier if you're afraid to meet large groups or if you're dealing with social anxiety. The focus is never on having conversations, so you can simply focus on the game if you don't feel like talking. 😶 ⏳ With time, you'll get to know all the other players. Because that's where the magic happens: You join a few games, meet them with no character sheets or dice, have real interactions, and build friendships 🥰 Eventually, you might fall in love with a fellow player, one of their friends or family, or even one of their friends' friends. 🎧 Listen to this episode before you roll for initiative! 🎲 Frank's wife is fighting stage 4 cancer. Please help them in any way you can https://gofund.me/f86c12bd Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:18 First Impressions 00:04:26 The TTRPG Group 00:06:43 Becoming Friends 00:08:46 A Written Confession 00:13:02 Seeing the Signs 00:15:42 A History of Friendship 00:17:54 Shared or Separate Hobbies 00:20:47 Make Friends to Find a Relationship 00:23:57 Have the Right Intentions 00:26:13 Leave the Container 00:30:07 Avoid Being a Creep 00:34:35 Alternatives to Dating Apps 00:37:50 Overcoming Social Anxiety 00:43:03 Support Frank's Wife's Treatment Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
The Tolkien Association: Where to Meet Nerds, with Vir 33:57

24 weeks ago33:57

33:57

🧝‍♂️ If you're into Lord of the Rings and want a partner who shares your passion, start by making friends who are also into fantasy! Vir and I found long-term relationships at our local Tolkien Association, as did most of our friends there... except for very specific people who got rejected by everyone 🙄 🧓 In this episode, we reminisce about our experience meeting and dating fellow nerds with similar interests. Because while reading can be a solitary activity, it doesn't have to be a lonely hobby. It's just a matter of finding the right group of people with whom you can connect and build deep and meaningful relationships 📚 And that's what you should focus on ☝️ Yes, you want to find a partner, but your main priority should be to expand your network. This way, you'll be able to find a Player 2 without needing to go to bars, clubs, or approach random people on the street that you know nothing about 🍻 ✋ However, if you focus solely on finding someone to date, you won't fit in with this group. While people may be open to dating, it's not a meat market. So hold your horses, have patience, and avoid the common mistakes we describe in this episode 🙅‍♂️ 🎧 What're you waiting for to give it a listen? Forth Eorlingas! 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord 💬 Practice your Conversations Skills with FREE online improv games every month... Live! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/improv Argentine Tolkien Association: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AsociacionTolkienArgentina/ Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 The Argentine Tolkien Association 00:04:58 Meeting New People 00:07:58 Building Deep Relationships 00:11:13 Common Interests and Dating 00:13:24 Not Being a Creep 00:18:40 Expanding Your Network 00:21:58 The Friend Zone 00:25:19 How Long Does It Take? Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Introverted Nerds on Dating Apps: the Nerd Love Story of Phillip and Darcy 31:41

26 weeks ago31:41

31:41

📺 Staying in watching Naruto and eating pizza might not be everyone's preference for a first date. But that doesn't have to stop you from finding a Player 2! 🎖️ After serving in the military, Phillip moved to a new city full of extroverts. As an introverted nerd dealing with anxiety and starting to build a life from scratch, with no money or even a bed, Phillip was finding it challenging to date. But after some swiping, he found Darcy, a fellow introvert who even suggested staying in for their first date! 🛋️ ❌ And, no. They didn't sleep together on that first date (it was Netflix and Pizza; not Netflix and Chill). In fact, he gave her a kiss on the cheek on the 4th date! How was he not friend-zoned? He was clear from the beginning about what she could expect. And she liked him just like that. 🙌 If you think you have to change who you are to find a partner, listen to Phillip's story! Phillip's links: https://alnerdstuff.com/ https://www.threads.net/@nerd_stuff_of_al https://www.instagram.com/nerd_stuff_of_al/ 📱Join me on Discord! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/discord 💬 Practice your Conversations Skills with FREE online improv games every month... Live! https://www.datelikeanerd.com/improv Timestamps for lazy nerds: 00:00:25 Intro 00:01:43 Trying to Date as an Introverted Nerd 00:03:25 A Nerd on Dating Apps 00:05:55 Dating App Burnout 00:08:45 Being True to Yourself 00:11:14 Dating Expectations 00:15:41 First Date with Naruto and Pizza 00:17:45 How Fast to Move on Dates 00:20:24 Good Communication in Dating 00:28:01 Don't Be Afraid to Be Yourself 00:28:55 Contact Info #datingtips #datingadvice #dating #nerdlife #nerd #gamer #single #socialskills #introvert #datingapps #tinder #naruto Contact: dm@datelikeanerd.com or @datelikeanerd on social media…

Date Like A Nerd

1
Beat the Fear of Rejection Through Your Gamer's Journey, with Dr. Daniel Kaufmann 40:10

29 weeks ago40:10